Recall the issue with the carpeting in the sanctuary. It is buckling in numerous high traffic areas. It presents a safety risk for those who are not steady on their feet. Removing the carpet is not simple because it is glued down to a tile floor. The tiles contain asbestos. It would be impossible to remove the carpet without pulling up tiles, which would release asbestos into the air. That’s dangerous! 

In order to safely remove the carpet, it would have to be done by a certified asbestos abatement company, and the carpet and tile would have to be disposed of properly. All of this is very expensive. We also learned that laying new carpet is more expensive than we anticipated. All told, the job would cost in the range of $50,000 - $75,000. We cannot afford that.

So, a strategy we are pursuing involves leaving the carpet in place (aside from the buckling, it is not worn) and performing these steps:
1) cut the carpet where it is buckling
2) glue down the seams
3) place custom-sized, commercial mats over the area of the seams.

We have one mat in place in an area between the chapel and the baptismal font. It looks nice! Although, we haven’t yet found someone to cut and glue the carpet. If you know of someone to do this work, please contact Leif Kehrwald at [email protected] or 503-351-9889.

Based on the cost of the one experimental mat, we estimate that we can fix all the carpet buckles for approximately $5000. One parishioner has put up $500 as a matching grant. Can you help raise the money to match this grant? Make your donation in one of three ways:
1) Give online at by clicking here.
2) Drop a check in the Sunday Collection made out to St Charles and write “Carpet Repair” in the memo line
3) Tell Leif Kehrwald the amount you would like to pledge. Contact Leif at 503-351-9889 or [email protected].

Thanks for your help!

As you may have heard, the Liturgy Committee and parish musicians have been discussing a slight re-location of the musicians at Mass on Sunday (& Saturday). 

Liturgically, the primary music minister in the liturgy is the assembly. The principal role of the choir or music group is to lead and support the song of the assembly. Musicians are considered part of the assembly, and so it is more appropriate for them to lead song from the assembly rather than play/sing to the assembly. 

With these norms in mind, we would like to re-position the music group (whether choir or folk group or Sat song leaders) to the area where the choir pews are located. From this location, they can still lead the assembly in song, and at the same time be with the assembly in worship. It will actually increase participation from the assembly.

In order to do this, we would remove those pews and replace them with approximately 15 chairs. The chairs will allow for flexibility that the pews do not. We intend to purchase chairs that are the exact match of the chairs on the altar and the chairs in the small chapel (without kneelers). Cost is $150 each. 

Of course, there are a lot of logistics involved:
- removing pews
- purchasing chairs
- re-positioning piano
- re-positioning group leader to be able to see both altar and musicians
- re-positioning microphone jacks
- moving music materials
- providing places for coats and other materials that musicians currently place in the pews

We believe these are solvable problems. For more info on this, or to share your concerns and comments, contact Tom Ficker ([email protected]) or Leif Kehrwald ([email protected]). We welcome your input. 

A number of parishioners have made a pledge toward the purchase of one or more chairs. If you would like to pledge or donate, here are your options:

1. Donate online by clicking here.
2. Drop a check into the Sunday collection with "Chairs for Musicians" in the memo line
3. Send a note to Leif Kehrwald at [email protected] indicating your pledge amount.

Thanks so much.

There is good news and bad news related to gym/kitchen rental.

Bad news. Throughout the summer, the gym and kitchen have been used by numerous outside groups for events and celebrations. Unfortunately, we have encountered numerous problems with these events, including damage to chairs, tables, doors, and in one instance the alarm system. We have also received complaints about noise, un-supervised children, use of alcohol, and groups staying well past closing time (10 pm). Clean-up has also been a major problem with respect to floors, tables, kitchen, and trash removal.

These problems have outweighed the income generated. And since these groups have not affiliation with St. Charles, there is no advancement of the mission and ministry of the parish. So, we have put a temporary suspension on all new event rentals of the gym/kitchen until we develop new policies and procedures for events that involve food. We are not taking any new reservations at this time.

Note. This suspension applies to outside persons/parties. A parishioner can book the gym/kitchen for an event that you personally take full responsibility for, and that you personally will be present at throughout the event. To book a date, contact Leif at 503-281-6461 or [email protected].

Good news. For months, we have been looking for a group to rent the gym for athletic recreation. We are happy to announce that Underdog Sports Leagues has agreed to rent our gym three nights/week, September through May, for their volleyball leagues. They will have the gym 6 - 10 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday beginning Sept 11.

It’s a win/win deal for both Underdog Sports and St Charles. For us, it is almost entirely passive income that will generate just over $10,000. Compared to weekend parties in the gym, cleanup and facilities abuse will be minimal.

During the week, this leaves the gym available for meetings on most Wednesday evenings, except during Lent.

In its year end report, the Administrative Council challenged all parishioners to keep the parish financial house in order by increasing your offertory giving by $5 each week. When was the last time you increased your gift to the parish? We realize that for some, this just is not possible.  No problem.  And yet for others, it is quite doable . . . maybe even more. Consider it, and thanks for your generosity.

For those who give to the parish by way of the WeShare Online service, here are the steps to change the amount of your recurring gift.

1. Go to stcharlespdx.weshareonline.org/.
2. Click the red “Login” button in the upper right corner.
3. Login with your email address and password. (Don’t remember our password? Click on “If you’ve forgotten your password, click here” and follow prompts.)
4. Once you’re logged in, you will see “Welcome [your name] in the upper right corner.
5. See the box titled “SACRIFICIAL GIVING.” Inside that box, click the red box “Make a Donation.” On the next screen click on the red text that says “Click here to change your recurring donation.”
6. To change the amount of your gift, click on the first red “Edit” buttons, scroll down to the box that says “Enter an amount.” Put in the desired number. You can change other settings as well if you wish. IMPORTANT: scroll down and click on the red button “Apply Changes to Recurring Transaction.”

That’s it.